Academic / A2

ri-LEYE-uh-bl/rɪˈlaɪəbl/

Reliable means you can trust it to work or to do the right thing: a reliable bus, a reliable friend, not very reliable. Rely is the verb (rely on). Unreliable is the opposite. Trustworthy is a cousin for people. Do not write relyable as one invented spelling.

Meaning

Able to be trusted to work well or do what is needed.

Examples

• “This old bike is slow but very reliable.”
• “Find a reliable website for the train times.”
• “She is the most reliable person on the team.”

Good to know

a reliable friend / service. Verb: rely on. Opposite: unreliable. People cousin: trustworthy.

Near in meaning

trustworthy

Topics

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